Protein Cucumber Salad (Printable Version)

A fresh mix of grilled chicken, spiralized cucumber, and sesame dressing for a light, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 oz total)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

05 - 2 large cucumbers, spiralized
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - ¼ cup shredded carrots
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

→ Sesame Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons tahini or toasted sesame paste
10 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
15 - 2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing as needed)

→ Garnish

16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken breasts for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Spiralize the cucumbers and place into a large mixing bowl. Add halved cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and chopped scallions.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and water until smooth. Adjust thickness with additional water if necessary.
06 - Pour the sesame dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure even coating.
07 - Divide the dressed cucumber salad onto plates and top with sliced grilled chicken.
08 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, so weeknight dinners stop feeling like a chore.
  • The sesame dressing is rich and savory enough that you won't miss heavier sauces or oils.
  • Spiralized cucumbers give you that satisfying crunch without the heaviness of traditional salad bases.
  • It packs nearly 40 grams of protein per serving, so you stay full without the afternoon crash.
02 -
  • Spiralized cucumbers release water as they sit, so don't dress the salad more than 15 minutes before serving or it becomes watery and sad.
  • Thick tahini that won't whisk smooth means your dressing is about to disappoint—always add water gradually until it's pourable but still creamy.
  • Slicing the chicken against the grain (perpendicular to the long fibers) makes it tender and easy to eat, while slicing with the grain gives you chewy, tough pieces.
  • Toasted sesame oil tastes completely different from regular sesame oil and is absolutely worth seeking out; it's what makes this dressing taste like something special.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes before using them—this amplifies their nutty flavor and makes the final dish taste like you actually knew what you were doing.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the chicken, vegetables, and dressing in separate containers and only combine them right before eating to prevent the salad from becoming a soggy disappointment.
  • A splash of sriracha stirred into the dressing transforms it from savory into something with real fire and is worth trying at least once.
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